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Cedenio, Quow, Solomon get Chaconia Gold medals

President Anthony Carmona, second from right, pose for a picture with, from left, Hayden Cedenio father of Machel Cedenio, Rupert Quow, father of Renny Quow and Cheryl Roberts friend of Jarrin Solomon during the Handing over of National Awards the Chaconia Medal Gold at the Office of the President, Circular Road, St Ann’s yesterday.
PICTURE ANISTO ALVES

Three of T&T's national Track and Field athletes have been recognised by President Anthony Carmona and presented with the country's second highest national awards - the Chaconia Gold.

The athletes - Machel Cedenio; Renny Quow and Jarrin Solomon were all absent for the brief ceremony that took place at the Office of the President in St Ann's yesterday, but were represented by close family members and friends.

Cedenio's father, Hayden received the award on his behalf; while Quow's father, Rupert collected his medal. Solomon's friend, Cheryl Roberts was on hand to collect his medal.

All three athletes are currently said to be training in Florida, In the United States in preparation for the upcoming meets.

President Carmona in giving a short address after presenting all three awards spoke of the kind of support that local athletes should be getting. He said it is unfair for athletes to get support only in the end when they have achieved a medal.

"None is really interested in the road to success, but in the ending. It is something that is unfair. Why it is that we cannot support our athletes through thick and thin when they are injured, need housing and jobs?" Carmona asked.

He said that one should in fact consider that they may do far better than the country's Tourism Board and gave the perfect example of Jamaica's Usain Bolt.

"Invariably they may be well doing far more than the tourist board. We see it in Jamaica. Usain Bolt has sold Jamaica through his sense of vision and a philosophy that involves drug free and still being successful. This is what he is doing for Jamaica the tourist numbers have gone up tremendously. May be, we should learn by that in the way we support our athletes as they do make us proud in the international arena," Carmona said.

President Carmona made it clear that there was a need to celebrate the prominence of T&T's athletes as sportsmanship gives the drive that all is not lost, "Sometimes we're burdened by the negatives in society and many times our sportsmen gives that drive that all is not lost so it is important that we appreciate athletes in their prime and not when they retire to give national accolade and awards."

The President also renewed his call for the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to consider his suggestion to upgrade silver medallists to gold where initial athletes who would have won gold in any event and who would have been later found to be "not doing the right thing," possibly engaging in substance abuse or cheating.

Carmona said letters have already been written with regards to this and added that he will soon send it out to the IOC and the T&T Olympics Committee (TTOC).

T&T’s men’s 4x400 metres relay team has won gold at the 4x400 metres relay final today at the 2017 IAAF World Championship at the Olympic Stadium in London, England.

T&T’s men’s 4x400 metres relay team won the gold medal at the 2017 IAAF World Championship at the Olympic Stadium in London, England with a time of 2:58.12 seconds.